New ruler, new rules! Things are never going to be the same in the Big Easy.

What’s the only thing more messed up than a dinner party hosted by The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills? Why, one hosted by Klaus (Joseph Morgan), of course! With his not-so-loyal subjects on either side of him, King Klaus waged war on New Orleans’ entire werewolf population on the Dec. 3 episode of The Originals– and as you can imagine, Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) didn’t exactly raise her glass to that toast.

She certainly wasn’t pleased that Klaus’ crew intended to wipe out her entire pack, so Elijah (Daniel Gillies) and Rebekah (Claire Holt) leapt into action to keep the wolves safe. What they weren’t expecting to discover, however, was the bloodline of Klaus’ “true father!” Honestly, sometimes I forget that Klaus is an actual bastard — not just a behavioral one.

After yet another regime shift — Klaus and Marcel (Charles Michael Davies) wiped out “The Faction,” leaving only Kieran standing — the King of New Orleans had a surprising change of heart. Not only did he offer Marcel the position of co-ruler, but he also extended an invitation for his estranged siblings to come home! At least we can head into 2014 knowing that the Mikaelsons are a little more functional; I was starting to think they’d never be whole again.

Big Easy Revelations

But Klaus wasn’t the only person who underwent a power shift this week. Davina (Danielle Campbell) discovered the truth about Agnes’ death, and that Marcel (Charles Michael Davis) has been lying to her ever since. I can only imagine what that little witch has up her sleeve now — I mean, after restoring Cami’s (Leah Pipes) memory, of course.

Cami actually seemed to be doing a pretty decent job of restoring her own memory, placing Post-Its around her house and secretly recording her pre-compelled conversations with Klaus. Their final scene, when he compelled her to leave town for good, might have been his most heartbreaking yet. Though I still think Cami is being treated too much like the token human, I’m starting to genuinely feel her connection with Klaus. It’s faint, but it’s there.

And speaking of almost-hookups, were you not screaming at your TV during Hayley and Elijah’s big balcony scene?! Either Elijah is holding off out of respect for the father of Hayley’s unborn child, or the writers are holding off out of necessity for more story lines; either way, I’m loving the romantic tension between them.

Odds & Ends To Chew On During The Hiatus

1. What really went down in 1919 at the opera house?

2. How cute is Josh and Davina’s friendship? I hope Hayley was wrong about Josh being voted “most likely to die.”

3. Which hookup are you more excited for, Klaus and Cami’s, or Hayley and Elijah’s?

4. Speaking of which, what’s to become of Marcel and Rebekah?

5. And lastly, is Sophie (Daniella Pineda) even on this show anymore?!

HollywoodLifers, what did you think of The Originals‘ midseason finale? Drop a comment with your thoughts, hopes and predictions below!

Sooo much better than TVD! I pray they won’t do any triangles anymore and keep up the awesome writing. Tvd was too tiring for me to watch. When I watch it, I also find myself asking ” whaaat story are you trying to tell here? What are they trying to accomplish really??”
Hmm… imho, I guess it had too much going on – messy romance and the characters didn’t really grow or show much dimension.

It would be nice if Haylijah(?) hook up buuut yeah, it’s more fun to see Elijah work his charm and woo Hayley :)

I like the possible alliance of the trio of misfits (Hayley, Davina & Josh). How cute are they? Am rooting for Hayley and Elijah to find true love and happiness with each other however long it may take (hopefully 6 seasons), as long as I have my Haylijah scenes every episode.

I’m not liking the hole Elijah and Hayley thing its just so ….well it just blah to me. I’m more excited to see Elijah wooing Hayley then seeing them hook up. Elijah is so charming I just love seeing him work that charm.

I don’t like Hayley and Elijah probably because I don’t like Phoebe Tonkin or Hayley. It reminds me of when Elena said to Elijah that he cared for Katerina. ‘A mistake I won’t make again’ I think he said. Well here we go again!

I am really looking forward to Elijah and Hayley FINALLY hooking up! The sexual tension between them is too drawn out. I feel so sad about Marcel and Rebekah practically breaking up, at least SOMEONE has to get it on, no? And no, not Klaus and Cami. Ew. That just wouldn’t work.